20 Attractions to Explore Near Phillips Park Zoo

Phillips Park Sunken Garden is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Located just outside of downtown Aurora, the park’s main attraction is the Sunken Garden. Featuring winding pathways and scenic blooms, this lovely walk is also surrounded by mature trees that provide natural shade during the hot summer days. For those looking to stay active while exploring the park, there are also two playgrounds on each side of the garden where children can play.

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum proudly houses interactive displays, photographs, and artifacts that tell the stories of past heroic firefights and those who courageously served them. The museum also exhibits documents and equipment dating back to the 18th century that were used to battle fires. Visitors are able to explore interactive setups such as a vintage hand pumper or stationary steam pump engine, reminding them of firefighting's long-standing traditions.

The Oakhurst Forest Preserve, is an incredible natural sanctuary. Featuring more than 600 acres of undisturbed prairie and oak woodland habitat, visitors can take part in a wide range of outdoor activities, enjoying everything from hiking to birding. The vast array of wildlife, including deer and fox, can often be seen wandering through the preserve. In addition, this vast expanse of green space leads directly down to the picturesque Fox River.

Two Brothers Roundhouse, serves craft beer enthusiasts from all over the area. With a diverse selection of IPAs, stouts, sours and more, visitors to the establishment are sure to find something they love. Enjoy a flight of four beers or a full pint on their outdoor patio - complete with firepit - while taking in the live music and great atmosphere. The brewery also offers pub food such as sliders and sandwiches, as well as larger entrees like ribs and brisket.

Aurora Downtown, stands as a vibrant testament to the area's gritty determination and perseverance. From its humble beginnings as an industrial production hub to its recent reinvention as an educational and cultural destination, Aurora Downtown has been an integral part of the community. The streets are buzzing with energy throughout the day, alive with shopping options and specialty restaurants serving up unique dishes from around the world.

The William Tanner House, is a unique combination of Italianate and Greek Revival architecture. Built in 1850 by local stonecutters, the house stands tall with its Italianate-style tower and detailed eaves. Inside its walls are a combination of period decor and recent renovations which provide a uniquely warm environment for visitors to the home. The surrounding area includes views of rolling hills and creeks, making it an ideal spot for outdoor exploration or simply relaxing.

The Little White School Museum is a journey through time. Operating as a one-room school until 1966, the building has been lovingly transformed into a museum of artifacts and photographs that capture the history of the area’s education system from its earliest days to the present. Visitors to the museum can trace how far our educational system has come by exploring interactive exhibits covering topics from rural school life to technological innovation.

Commissioners Park is an impressive outdoor playground. It has beautiful paths for hiking and biking, as well as bike rentals. The park also offers a variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy such as disc golf, fishing, volleyball, horseshoes, soccer fields and several playgrounds. There are plenty of picnic areas to relax after a day of fun activities. With its plethora of attractions, Commissioners Park is one of the county's most popular outdoor destinations.

Red Oak Nature Center is an amazing urban oasis for nature and outdoor recreational activities. It spans over fifty acres of land and has something for everyone. Its wide range of nature trails are great for hiking or biking, while the gently rolling meadow provides a perfect backdrop for a dramatic picnic spot. There's also a pond stocked with fish, which makes fishing possible all year round. Rich meadows and wetlands are available to explore and make it easy to spot wildlife.

This Preserve is a sprawling wonderland of nature and wildlife. The majority of the preserve consists of high-quality prairie and wetland habitats, with an abundance of native plants and animals. Situated along the east branch of the DuPage River, the forest provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, and bird watching. It also includes trails that are lined with historic oak savannas from before European settlement.

McDowell Grove, is a stunning natural park that makes for a great escape any time of the year. Surrounded by nearly 400 acres of lush and diverse landscape, visitors can explore breathtaking trails that wind through trees and along the banks of Salt Creek. This part also offers plentiful recreational amenities: fishing opportunities at McDowell Lake, picnic groves, a large playground and even a nature center where you can learn about the wildlife and plantlife that inhabit the area.

Fermilab, is a recognized leader in particle physics research and the development of new technologies. Fermilab conducts groundbreaking scientific research relating to understanding the nature of matter by accelerating protons and other particles towards each other in order to observe the way they interact. The laboratory is also dedicated to educational programs for researchers across multiple disciplines and provides a number of outreach activities for local school groups.

Standing tall in the grounds of the Millennium Carillon in DuPage County, Illinois is a magnificent tower composed of 72 bronze bells. Discovered in 1999 and officially inaugurated on December 31st 2000, this impressive carillon is the tallest in North America at 155 feet (47 meters). It also covers more than two octaves, making it much larger – both tonally and visually – than other carillons. Visitors are frequently entranced by its beauty, not to mention its serene melodic ringing.

The Naperville Park District is a unique park facility that offers residents an integrated network of parks and recreational activities. Covering more than 3,500 acres, the district offers a diverse range of activities such as golf courses, fishing sites, fitness centers, sports fields, baby pools and playgrounds. The district prides itself on its family-friendly atmosphere and provides many opportunities for people to come together within its network of parks.

This Riverwalk is a beautiful outdoor facility that the whole family can enjoy. Boasting over 5 miles of walking paths and bridges, visitors to this popular oasis have the opportunity to take in stunning views of the scenically winding DuPage River. Additionally, the park offers several attractions and amenities – rent a bike or a paddleboat along the riverbank, grab a bite at one of the numerous restaurants nearby, or just sit back and relax under sprawling trees with colorful landscaping.

Naper Settlement is a living history museum that is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of Naperville. The settlement sits on 12 acres of land and features 25 restored buildings from the 19th century. Visitors to the village are able to step back in time as interpreters dressed in period clothing complete household tasks and demonstrate historical crafts like butter churning or blacksmithing.

This Museum is a popular historic attraction where visitors learn about the railroad history of Batavia through a variety of artifacts and exhibitions. This museum features an extensive collection of antique railway tickets, timetables, lanterns, china, and photographs for people to explore and gain insight into life on the railroads in the area over the last century. Additionally, there are interactive displays with audio-visual aids as well as model train sets running around the entire museum.

The West Branch DuPage River is a beautiful and tranquil river flowing through Will County. It has many picturesque landscapes that you can enjoy, from rolling hills freshly blanketed in snow to colorful forests bursting with life. Along the river there is ample opportunity for both fishing and canoeing, making it a popular spot for those looking to get outdoors. The gentle current of the West Branch allows casual paddlers a chance to take in the sights while getting some light exercise.

Eaton Preserve Park is a fantastic natural retreat spanning 77 acres, the park offers a wide variety of activities for nature lovers to enjoy including picnicking, fishing, bird watching and more. The park is set in a beautiful wooded valley that is filled with diverse flora and fauna native to the area. In addition to recreational activities available at Eaton Preserve Park there are also several miles of trails for visitors to explore.

The Illinois Aviation Museum is an impressive experience for aviation enthusiasts. On display are aircraft from the golden age of flight along with exhibits from WWI and WWII, as well as modern military machines. Visitors to the museum can explore the history of aviation through tour guides who have a wealth of knowledge about each aircraft and their historical context. Educational programming includes speakers, lectures, and interactive workshops for children of all ages.